Venkatesh Maha


Venkatesh Maha is an Indian film director, screenwriter and actor who works in Telugu cinema. He's known for directing films such as C/o Kancharapalem and Uma Maheswara Ugra Roopasya.

Career

Maha left his house at the age of sixteen and worked at various jobs. He worked as a spot boy for the film Teen Maar before he made his acting debut with Aakasame Haddu that same year. He made his directorial debut with the film C/o Kancharapalem which was shot in the suburb of the same name. The cast of the film comprised entirely newcomers. Regarding his work in the film one critic noted that "Full marks to Venkatesh for not only coming up with a different kind of film but successfully carrying off the experiment of roping in locals for a film which is about themselves" whilst another stated that "If the director Venkatesh Maha is the brain behind this idea, he deserves credit yes".
His next film was Uma Maheswara Ugra Roopasya, the remake of the Malayalam film Maheshinte Prathikaaram. The film featured Satyadev in the lead role and was shot extensively in the Araku valley. Regarding his casting in the film, a critic wrote that "And a big shout to Venkatesh Maha’s casting choices, which makes the movie more relatable". In August 2021, Maha started Write Right Club for creative writers along with Puja Kolluru and other team members.

Filmography

  • All films are in Telugu unless otherwise noted.
YearTitleDirectorWriterProducerNotes
2018C/o Kancharapalem
2020Uma Maheswara Ugra Roopasya
2022SwarnaShort film
2022Modern Love HyderabadAmazon Prime Video series; episode 6
2023Martin Luther Kingalso actor
2024Ambajipeta Marriage BandCo-produced along with Dheeraj Mogilineni and Bunny Vas
2025Rao Bahadur

YearTitleRoleNotes
2011Aakasame HadduNarayana's friend
2012Cameraman Gangatho RambabuNews audience member
2014Manam
2020Uma Maheswara Ugra RoopasyaTea vendorCameo appearance
2022Stand Up RahulHridayExtended cameo
2022Ante SundaranikiJoseph
2023Anger TalesRangaDisney+ Hotstar series
2023UstaadSurya's fatherCameo
2023Martin Luther King
2025MiraiVikram

Awards and nominations